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National Aviation Day: TPG staffers share their most AvGeek-y moments

Aug. 19, 2020
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5 min read
Boeing 747-400 with smoking tyres at touchdown landing on the runway
National Aviation Day: TPG staffers share their most AvGeek-y moments
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Happy National Aviation Day!

In 2020, however, that means most of us are grounded amid the global coronavirus pandemic. Travel is disrupting travel, and has led to border closures and quarantines.

But we didn’t want to let the day pass unnoticed, even in this most unusual of years. Instead, we’re hoping you’ll enjoy some of our staffers’ favorite AvGeek moments that we’ve resurfaced in this post from last year.

And here’s hoping to a 2021 where we’re all back in the sky again for the next National Aviation Day. Until then, stay safe!

Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for the latest airline news

From 2018: Behind the scenes at American Airlines’ LAX operation for National Aviation Day

Scott Mayerowitz, Executive Editorial Editor

TPG Executive Editorial Director Scott Mayerowitz inside the cockpit of a JetBlue A321 parked at a gate at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport in July.
A Delta Air Lines Boeing 757 jet, the "Spirit of Freedom" dedicated to America's servicemen and women, is pulled as part of a charity event. Mayerowitz and Senior Aviation Editor Ben Mutzabaugh got to take part in the event with some Delta staff.

Alberto Riva, Former Managing Editor

TPG Managing Editor Alberto Riva at the 2017 Dubai Air Show, with an A380.
Riva at the 2013 Dubai Air Show, in the cockpit of a Eurofighter Typhoon.

Emily McNutt, Global News Editor

McNutt getting a unique perspective watching ground staff at LHR turn around this Oman Air 787.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BvUTaT-A0d-/

Benét Wilson, Credit Cards Editor

Wilson relaxes in the TWA Hotel’s Sunken Lounge.
Wilson’s daughter does a checklist inspection of her mom’s Beechcraft Sundowner training aircraft.
Wilson with United Airline CEO Oscar Munoz at an event celebrating the carrier’s final Boeing 747 flight.

Wallace Cotton, Community Manager

Cotton riding jumpseat on the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital MD-10, alongside Riva.
Cotton inside a now-retired United 747-400 at the UAM Aircraft Recycling Facility in Tupelo, Mississippi.

Summer Hull, Editorial Director

Hull's 8-years-old daughter was invited to check-out the cockpit of a United flight from Wichita to Houston before boarding officially commenced. She was even given the chance to turn off some alarms with the help of the pilot.

Victoria Walker; Points, Miles and Deals Reporter

Walker after the first leg of her second flight -- EVER -- in Addis Ababa in 2014 after a 14-hour flight. Walker was flying Washington - Addis Ababa - Accra on a community service trip to Ghana in college.

Zach Griff, Travel Analyst

Two Zach's (Griff and Editor-at-Large Zach Honig) inside the cargo hold of a United Boeing 787.
Griff and Mayerowitz on Taxiway A5 at Las Vegas Airport.

JT Genter, Former Senior Points and Miles Writer

There's perhaps no greater place to AvGeek-out than the LAX In-N-Out Burger, which is located right at the edge of runway 24R. This runway handles many of LAX's diverse large aircraft arrivals, and the adjacent runway 24L is the launch point for a number of the departures. Whether or not you like In-N-Out Burger, it's a great place to spend an afternoon with FlightRadar24 on your phone and perhaps air traffic control in your ears.
While some passengers don't care for "bus gates," Genter says he is always a fan of being able to enjoy the beauty and the power of an aircraft from the ground. And British Airways is a beauty on the outside -- even if the seat pitch on the low-cost Gatwick-based aircraft is a bit tight inside.

Benji Stawski, TPG Contributor

Stawski says having the opportunity to be up close with a 787 and see it get towed out of a hangar is a pretty surreal experience. You really can’t tell how massive these jets actually are until you’re standing right there in front of them.
Getting a photo in front of a jet engine has long been on Stawski's bucket list. This was a General Electric GEnx on a 787 that was being fueled.

Zach Honig, Editor-at-Large

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1H9oJMJs30/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0Or5I3pK88/

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Can't make it to Maho Beach for a little planespotting to celebrate this holiday? Check out these 5 must-see museum and tours for aviation enthusiasts, or turn on one of these 10 great aviation documentaries.

For the latest travel news, deals and points and miles tips please subscribe to The Points Guy daily email newsletter.

Featured image by Universal Images Group via Getty

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  • Intro Offer

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.